This device, used for diagnostic purposes, can make out shapes inside the body but causes no pain or ill effects. The device transmits ultrasounds and receives back reflected waves. The most important part of the device is a probe (photo in circle above) made with hundreds of thin piezoelectric ceramic bundles. The electric signals of reflected waves captured by the device's probe can show in detail an unborn baby sucking a finger.

Researchers are making headway in the development of ceramic parts for small gas turbines used to generate electricity, or at least for the parts exposed to very hot combustion gases. If the parts can withstand the heat, high temperatures are an advantage—ordinary gas turbines are subjected to temperatures around 900°C and have an energy efficiency of only around 20%, but this can be raised above 40% by increasing the temperature to 1350°C. The ceramic parts are pictured inside the red squares.

This gyokuji tea bowl is made of crystal powdered corundum that was sintered at ultra high temperatures in a vacuum, polished with diamond powder, and then decorated using Satsuma ware techniques. The look is traditional, but the method is fine ceramics technology. Beautiful and unbreakable.

This "hotocatalyst egg" is made of a ceramic material that has a photocatalyst effect and another ceramic material that is porous. The "eggs" are fired in a kiln using traditional Seto earthenware techniques. Because of their antibacterial and deodorant effect, they are useful in washrooms and refrigerators.